Electric press



Dec. 29, 1931. w. F. HENDRY ELECTRIC PRESS Filed Dec. e. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet mvEm-on A ATTORNEY 38. ltllLt, IHUNINU Un blvluulmwu.

Dec:` 29, 1931.

Filed DBG. 8. 1927 W. F. HENDRY ELECTRIC PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4J, ATTORNEY 38. ltl lLt, IHUNINU UH lvlUUmlNu.

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Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNi'raDI STATES Search Room PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM F. HENDRY, 0F OSSINING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TROY LAUNDRY MA- CHINERY CO., INC., OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC PRESS Application led December 8, 1927. Serial No. 238,566.

This invention relates to pressing machines and particularly to laundry pressers of the type employing normally wide open jaws.

In machines of the above noted class the attendant is enabled to more readily fold and lay the garments to be pressed on the bed which constitutes the fixed jaw of the press. Obviously, therefore, the preliminary movement of the movable jaw is merely for the purpose of bringing the jaws into pressing relation whereupon further movement causes final heavy pressure to be exerted. It is advantageous both as regards economy and rapidity of operation that this closing preliminary movement be effected as rapidly as possible, with the expenditure of a minimum of energy, and that the final pressure be maintained for any desired length of time.

Accordingly, it is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a power operated press having fixed and movable jaws wherein the preliminary movement of the movable jaw is effected rapidly and economically and the final working pressure is only applied when the jaws are in pressing relation with the material to be pressed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garment press which is operated completely by electric power and requires a. minimum of labor on the part of an attendant to effect the various opening and closing movements'of the press.

A feature of the invention is concerned with an electric garment press employing a system of gears for transmitting motion to the movable presser head wherein certain of the gears effect a rapid closing of the press and other gears are automatically effective to furnish a heavy pressure on the garments.

Another feature of the invention resides in a system of levers and gears for effecting the closing of a press whereby the effective gear ratio of the system adapts itself automatically to the thickness of the goods to be pressed.

A still further feature pertains to the use, in a motor driven press, of epicyclic gear trains for transmitting power to the movable presser jaw whereby the load on the motor is very small at the start and any desired degree of pressure may be attained when the jaws are in pressing relation.

And finally the invention provides a system of switches and circuits for an electric press providing an electrical two-hand safety control and means for automatically restoring the movable presser head should the attendant relinquish control of the motor circuit before the press is actually closed.

For the purpose of illustrating one preferred embodiment of the invention the same will be disclosed hereinafter as applied to a garment press of known construction but it is to be understood that it is capable of more general application to other kinds of presses.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an end View in elevation of a press embodying the invention. Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the press shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates schematically the electrical control circuits and mechanism for the press. Fig. 4 shows a modification of a portion of the press.

As shown in the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures, the press includes a stationary bed or padded buck 1 which is mounted on a suitable stand 2 securely fastened to the table 3. Table 3 is in turn mounted on a rigid frame comprising vertical standards 4 and base 5. The movable buck 6 is carried by a rocker frame 7 mounted intermediate its ends for rotation about shaft 8 which is rigidly secured between the uprights 4. As schematically shown .in Fig. 1 buck 6 is attached in any well known manner to the front end of frame 7 while the rear end of said frame is pivotally attached to the upper end of a toggle consisting of upper and lower links 9 and 10 respectively. The lower end of toggle link 10 is pivotally connected by pin 11 to boss 12 formed integrally with an Iinternally threaded gear frame 13 which is rotatably mounted on shaft 15, said shaft being provided with a suitable sleeve bearing formed in the right-hand upright 4.

The right-hand end of shaft 15 has secured thereto by pin 17 a worm gear 18 which meshes with a smaller worm gear 19 driven by the electric motor 20 which is preferably of the series wound high reactance type for purposes hereinafter described. Secured to the left-hand end of shaft is a pinion 21 which meshes with three idler gears, two being shown in the drawings as gears 22, 23, which in turn mesh with the internally threaded gear 13. The idler gears 22, 23, etc. as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, are loosely mounted for rotation on respective pins 24, securely fastened to the circular frame 26. Frame 26 is fastened to shaft 27 which is journalled in the left-hand hollowed end of shaft 15, the left-hand end of shaft 27 being journalled in upright 16. Shaft 27 carries a pinion 28 which meshes with gear 29. Gear 29 is fastened in any suitable manner to shaft 30 supported in suitable bearings carried by the uprights such as 31. Gear 29 carries near its edge the pin 33 on which is loosely mounted the link 34, the upper end of said link being loosely connected to one arm of crank 35, the latter being mounted for rotation around a fixed shaft 36. The opposite end of crank 35 A has pivoted thereto a link37 which has its opposite end rotatably mounted on toggle Rigidly supported between the uprights 4 is a bar 39 which cooperates with a proJecting lug 40 carried by gear 12 to limit the movement of said gear for purposes hereinafter described. Bar 39 in addition to acting as a stop is provided with a slot through which passes switch plunger 41 having a cam shaped tip 42 with which springs 43, 44 cooperate to normally force the plunger toward the right in which position the circuit through springs 45 and 46 is broken. As lug 40 approaches bar 39 it engages plunger 41 and closes a circuit through contacts 43, 45 and 44, 46 for maintaining the motor circuit closed independently of the attendant.

For the purpose of starting motor 2O in operation there are provided two push but ton switches 48 and 49. Each switch comprisesa plunger 50 which is held in .a normally raised position by springs 51 which cooperate with the cam shaped ti of the plunger. As shown in detail in Fig. 1 the contact springs for these switches are preferably mounted within an enclosed box beneath the table 3 at the forward edge thereof and are preferably spaced suiiciently far apart that the attendant must use both hands in depressing both switches. A similar switch 52 is mounted preferably near the center forward edge of thc table 3 and when depressed by the attendant causes a reverse motion of motor may be traced from the mains through contacts 58, 59, 60 and 61 of switch 52, contacts 43 to 46 which are closed when the lug 40 engages plunger 41, and through the normally closed contacts of switch 49. It will be noted that this last traced circuit includes the trip magnet 55 and contacts 68 of an overload circuit breaker. This breaker is of any well known type and is such that when magnet 55 is suiiiciently energized it opens the contacts 68 and remains in its tripped position until the re-setting magnet 71 is enerized, as disclosed hereinafter. It will also e observed that by depressing button 52, after the press is closed, the attendant closes the circuit through the breaker re-set magnet 7l and also reverses the direction of current through armature 47 to cause the press to be opened and also to re-close contacts 68.

Should the switches 48 and 49 assume their normal position while lug 40 is moving from its lowermost position towards the plunger 41, the contacts 62 and 63 are closed and a third circuit for the motor may be traced through the normally closed contacts of switch 48, contacts 62 and 63, contacts 43, 44, 56 and 57 and through the normally closed contacts of switch 49. The direction of current through the armature 47 in this last traced circuit is in the reverse direction to the current ow as traced in the first circuit described above and causes the reverse operation of the motor to restore the press to normal. As soon as the press is thus completely opened and the lug 40 has reached its lowermost position, contacts 62 and 63 are opened by the engagement of the lower end of toggle link 10 with th'e switch plunger 69. The function of the last traced circuit is for the purpose of restoring the press to its open position, should the attendant remove her hands from the switches 48 and 49 at any time before the press closes. After the press has been closed and the garments have received the necessary pressing, the attendant may open the press by operating switch 52 which reverses the normal direction of current flow through the armature 47.

Description 0f operation The press normally stands with the bucks 1 and 6 widely separated, as shown in Fig. 1, allowing the attendant to conveniently spread the garments on the buck 1. The attendant thereupon depresses push buttons 48 and 49 whereupon a circuit is closed from main 54, left outer contacts of switches 48 and 49, through the armature 47, right outer contacts of switches 49 and 48, through the field winding F to the main 53. The motor 2O thereupon rotates and drives pinion 21 through worm gears 18 and 19. Pinion 21 in turn causes rotation of the internal gear 13 by means of the idlers 22, 23, etc. Gear 13 is thus free to rotate in a counter-clockwise di- 38. TEXTILES, IRONING 0R SMOOIHINU.

rection but the frame 26 carrying the idlers does not rotate at this time because of the friction in the system includin pinion 28, gear 29, link 34, crank 35 and lin 37. If this latter friction is insuiiicient to hold the frame 2G from rotating while gear 13 is rotating additional braking force may be inserted such, for example, by connecting a spring 70 between the crank 35 and the main frame, tending to rotate said crank clockwise. Gear 13 in rotating as above described raises the toggle 9-10 until the pin 11 passes just beyond the left of a line drawn between the center of shaft 27 (Fig. 1) and the center of pin 38 in its raised position. During this upward bodily movement of the toggle 9-10 the latter retains substantially the same iexed shape as it had in its lowermost position, being held flexed by kcrank 35, and the frame 7 together with the buck 6 is brought into pressing relation with the garments on buck 1. When the pin 11 has reached the above described position lug 40 bears against stop bar 39 and prevents further rotation of gear 13. The distance the lug 40 travels before engaging bar 39 may be determined by the minimum thickness of goods to be pressed, or by the engagement of the bucks with each other. If desired the bar 39 itself may be adj ustable outwardly from the frame as shown in Fig. 4 by means of spacing washers 39 to cause the gear 13 to stop before the bucks come into contact. Gear 13 being thus held stationary, the power from the motor is transmitted through pinion 21, gears 22, 23, etc. to rotate frame 26 relative to gear 13 which is now stationary. Pinion 28 thereupon rotates and transmits power through gear 29 whereupon the latter begins to rotate in a munter-clockwise direction. Thus the initial high-speed gearing is changed to a low speed high power gearing as soon as lug 40 approaches bar 39. Due to the high ratio between pinion 28 and gear 29 any desired degree of power may be transmitted to the crank 35 through the link 34. Consequently, as link 34 descends the upper arm of crank 35 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction and through link 37 draws the toggle 9-10 toward its straight position. However, the levers 34, 35 and 37 are so proportioned that for the minimum thickness of goods to be pressed the toggle 9-10 never reaches a completely straightened position. Accordingly with this arrangement Very thin goods will be pressed equally as well as thick goods since it is not necessary to have the toggle 9-10 pass by center. In certain presses of the prior art employing toggles for transmitting power the maximum pressure is attained w en the toggle is in its straight or substantially straight position, with the result that minute variations in the thickness of goods to be pressed result in extremely wide variations in the pressure attained. In the type of press @e2-Tet 8ans according to the invention the toggle 9-10 i never assumes a straightened position even when the buck 6 is in actual contact with buck 1.

As soon as the buck 6 has been moved into pressing relation with buck 1, as above described, the attendant may release buttons 48 and 49 since the motor circuit is completed as follows (Fig. 3) Main 54, right inner contacts of switch 52, contacts 46 and 44, left inner cont-acts of switch 49 through the armature 47, right inner contacts of switch 49, contacts 43 and 45, through the winding of the overload breaker trip magnet 55, breaker contacts 68, left inner contacts of switch 52 through field winding F to the main 53. The direction of current i'low through armature 47 in this last traced circuit is in the proper direction to cause gear 29 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. As above described, gear 29 rotates at this time since gear 13 is prevented from rotating by the engagement of lug 40 with stop bar 39. The power is now transmitted as above described through links 34, 35 and 37 to the frame 7. As the toggle 9-10 moves toward its straightened position the pressure on the garments increases and the current drawn by the motor correspondingly increases. As mentioned hereinabove, motor 2O is preferably of the high reactance series type and as the load increases the torque also increases. Accordingly this fact taken in conjunction with the very high ratio of gearing during the final pressure movement enables exceedingly great pressures to be achieved. The trip magnet 55 of the overload breaker is so adjusted that when the maximum pressure on the garments has been attained, the current is of such a value as to trip the breaker and open contacts 68. The opening of contacts 68 opens the motor circuit and prevents further power being applied. However, gears 18 and 19 are of the irreversible type and the pressure may be maintained on the garments regardless of the opening of the motor clrcuit.

Assuming that the press has been completely closed and the garments have received the necessary pressing, the attendant opens the press by causing the reverse rotation of the motor. This is accomplished by depressing button 52 whereupon the direction of current through the motor is reversed as will be evident from an inspect-ion of Fig. 3. The reverse operation of motor 47 continues until the press is entirely open whereupon switch springs 62 and 63 are separated and the motor circuit opened. The current for reversing the motor passes through breaker reset magnet 71 and restores the breaker to close contacts 68.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a press is provided wherein any degree of pressure desired may be attained on goods having a wide variation in thickness since reliance is not placed upon the straightening of the toggle for the final pressure. Furthermore, the press is economical in operation and the final pressure may be maintained for any length of time Without the necessity for maintaining the power circuit closed.

Furthermore, While the invention has been shown as applied to a particular type of press it is understood that this is done merely for the purpose of enabling a clearer understanding of' the invention to be attained. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.

IVhat I claim is:

l. In a pressing machine the combination of a movable presser element, a toggle connected to said element, differential gears, one element of said differential being connected to one end of said toggle, anot-her element of said differential being connected to the joint of said toggle.

2. In a pressing machine a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, a toggle for effecting movement of said movable element, a system of gears, said toggle having one end connected to one of the gears and having its joint connected to another of said gears, means for imparting rapid motion to said one of said gears to bodily move the toggle to effect the initial movement of the movable element and means subsequently effective to impart motion to the other of said gears to move said toggle toward a straight position.

3. In a pressing machine a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, motor means for effecting preliminary movement at a certain leverage of said movable element, and means responsive to the encountering by said movable element of a predetermined resistance for increasing said leverage and producing nal pressure.

4. In a pressing machine a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, a motor, a set of gears interconnecting said motor and movable element for effecting preliminary movement at a given leverage of said movable element, another set of gears having greater leverage for effecting final pressure, and means for rendering eective said last mentioned gears responsive to the encountering by said movable element of a predetermined resistance.

5. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element, a fixed presser element for supporting goods to be pressed,`a toggle connected to said movable element, means for moving said toggle bodily to effect preliminary movement of said movable element, and

'means responsive to the attainment by said movable element 4of pressing engagement with the goods carried by said fixed element for moving said toggle toward a straightened position to produce final pressure.

6. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element, a fixe presser element, a toggle operatively connected to said movable element, a gear connected to one end of said toggle for moving the same bodily, another gear connected to the joint of said toggle, means for automatically causing the second gear to be effective upon said toggle When the first mentioned gear encounters a predetermined resistance, said means comprising an idler' gear between the first and second mentioned gears.

7. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element, an electric motor for moving said element, a two hand control switch for closing the circuit of said motor, means for closing the motor circuit independently of said switch responsive to the attainment by said element of a predetermined position, means for reversing the current through said motor and means for rendering said last mentioned means ineffective when said element is in its normal position.

8. In a garment press, an electric motor for opening and closing said press, operator controlled means for closing the circuit of said motor to close the press, means for automatically closing the circuit of said motor to lock the press closed independently of the operator` a nd means for automatically reversing said motor should the operator relinquish control of the first mentioned means While the press is closing.

9. In a garment press, a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, an electric motor for moving said movable element, operator controlled means for closing the circuit of said motor to cause it to rotate in one direction and move said movable element towards said fixed element, and means for automatically reversing said motor and restoring said movable element to its normal position should the operator relinquish control of said first-mentioned means While said movable element is moving toward said fixed element. d,

l0. In a. garment press, an electric motor for opening and closing the press, means requiring the employment of both hands of an operator for closing the motor circuit to close the press, means for automatically reversing said motor should the operator relinquish control of the first mentioned means While the press is closing, and separate means controlled by the operator :for reversing said motor after the press is closed.

1l. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element. a fixed presser element, a toggle connected at one end to said movable element for transmitting movement thereto, an epicyclic gear train having one member thereofl connected to the other end of said toggle to effect a. bodily displacement of said toggle during the initial movement of said movable element, and another member of said trainv 38. TEXTILES, IRONING UH ivluulmwu.

being connected to the joint of said toggle for effecting the final movement of said movable element.

12. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, a. toggle for effecting movement of said movable element, means for bodily moving said toggle to effect the initial movement of said movable element, and means for straightening said toggle to effect the final movement of said movable element.

13. In a pressing machine, a movable presser element, a fixed presser element, a toggle for effecting movement of said movable element, means for bodily moving said toggle to effect the initial movement of said movable element, and means responsive to the encountering of pressing resistance by said movable element for straightening said toggle and applying final pressure to said movable element.

14. In a pressing machine, a pair of pressing jaws, a low power closing mechanism and a high power pressing mechanism connected to one of said jaws, a power source, and an epicvclic train comprising three elements rotatable about a common axis and having one clement coupled to said driving source, another coupled to said closing mechanism and a third to said pressing mechanism.

15. A pressingmachine in accordance with claim 14 wherein an adjustable stop is provided for limiting the movement of the epicvclic train element which is coupled to said closing mechanism.

16. A pressing machine in accordance with claim 14 wherein both the closing and the pressing mechanisms include a toggle joint, one element of the epicyclic train serves to move said toggle bodily and the other element of said train serves to straighten said toggle.

17. In a pressing machine, a pair of pressing jaws, a low power closing mechanism and a high power pressing mechanism connected to one of said jaws, a power source, and an epicvclic train comprising an external gear coupled to said driving source. an internal gear coupled to said closing mechanism, and a crank coupled to said pressing mechanism, said crank ycarrying an idler gear meshing both with said internal and said external gears.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 7th day of December, 1927.

WILLIAM F. HENDRY.

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